#Ren would not help. if anything i think he'd actually make you sleep in a different room and not talk to him. i love him but no | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

silverskye13 · 2 years ago

Note

Hey i saw you had writing requests open! and ik you’ve just written about ren but if at any point later you’d like to write more about him or the red king,, i’d absolutely love to read it!!

"I'm telling you man, I don't like this," Doc says, as if Ren hadn't heard him the first thirty times he'd said it. "That guy probably almost killed you last time. Or dragged you to hels or something. That's not the sort of thing you invite to dinner you know."

"It's not dinner Doc, it's braai," Ren replies firmly as he lights the campfire, "and it's the solution to all our hels-based interdimensional tough-guy problems, baby!"

Ren claps the ash off his hands and watches to make sure the campfire doesn't sputter out. He is an expert at setting these up though, so it doesn't. The fire roars strong, accompanied by the bone-snap of dry twigs and timber lighting.

"Braais were made to bring people together. As soon as The Red King sees this gesture of good faith, I'm sure he'll settle down long enough for us to chat this out. And even if he doesn't--" Ren gestures to Doc and Wels. The pair of them watch him with nervous concern. "--I have all the muscle I'll need right here. Oneexpert in hels-shenaniganry forged in the fires of fighting valiantly against his inner demons, and one big scary creeper hybrid with a channeling trident and full netherite in his inventory."

Doc and Wels exchange a glance.

"You're killing me here guys."

“Actually, I think that's The Red King’s job,” Wels pointed out humorlessly.

"Not that I don't have faith in my ability to protect you," Doc said, running a hand through his hair nervously, "but your Roterkönig could fight my prosthetic. You know this thing can halt pistons, right?"

"He just caught you off-guard, Doc."

"I'm sorry, what is your hels' name?" Welsknight blinked, bewildered. "Rote… what?"

"Roterkönig is The Red King in German," Ren shrugged. "Doc's just being superstitious about it."

"He said, and I quote: Wels spoke his likeness and he answered the call." Doc crossed his arms and scowled. "I'm not chancing that guy just leaping out of the nearest reflection. Besides, I'm not calling him King all the time. King of what? Bad horror movies?"

"But isn't Ro-- Rotor-- isn't it just the exact same thing but different?" Wels stammered, confused.

"It is a proper noun," Doc said insistently. "It's like giving him a nickname, but it's one he definitely doesn't know, because Ren doesn't speak German, so I doubt he speaks German."

Ren sighed and pinched the space between his eyes. Wels looked just as confused as he had before, but he nodded and pretended it made sense anyway.

“None of that is going to be a problem, my dudes,” Ren insisted, crossing back to the campfire to make sure it was still burning well. He piled on a couple more logs. “The Re--” Doc cleared his throat loudly, interrupting him, “-- Roterkönig is going to be so impressed by this braai he’ll call whatever his beef is off. Believe in the braai guys. Now I’m going to get barbecuing. Doc, set up the mirror over there. Wels, you stand there and look welcoming but mildly intimidating.”

Welsknight blinked; the look of tired confusion he was sporting was slowly becoming a permanent fixture on his face. He settled on pulling out his sword and stamping the tip of it into the ground, using it as a convenient lean. He looked like he needed it anyway. Ren hadn’t realized when he’d called Wels over to help that he hadn’t been sleeping. Granted, he’d told Ren his hels kept him awake sometimes, but the man’s eyes were more bags than anything, and Ren thought he seemed to process things slowly. Hazy. That might be a good word for it. Wels looked hazy in that way people did when they were on day two or three without shut-eye.

He should… probably ask him to go home. The evening was turning to sunset, and surely Welsknight would be falling asleep where he stood soon. But Ren was also kind of scared of he and Doc trying to deal with The Red King alone, given how badly they’d managed it the first time. He wasn’t quite scared enough to get the rest of the server involved yet, but having a knight like Wels on the team seemed like a step in the right direction.

Ren shook his head and flipped one of the steaks he’d been cooking over the campfire. If he thought about this, he’d start worrying even more than he already was, and if he started worrying about it more, he might convince himself this was a bad idea and call it off. That would make him a coward, which would make The Red King right, so he elected to just… stop thinking about it. For now.

With a clatter, Doc set up the mirror across from the campfire and pulled the sheet off that’d been covering it. It was one of those tall standing ones that tilted on stilted legs that Ren always thought looked oddly bird-ish, perching on the ground. Currently it reflected nothing but the sky colors of the sunset and the distant treeline of the birch forest hemming in the plains they’d randomly picked for themselves. It seemed a bit too dangerous to plan this rendezvous around a bunch of builds where anyone could stroll up and interrupt - or get hurt. Ultimately though if someone had to fly for help, they were only a few hundred blocks away from civilization.

“So, question for the curious,” Welsknight hummed, leaning a little heavier on his sword. His cape caught in the breeze and fluttered like elytra wings around his shoulders, “why are we doing this? I get the olive branch. But what do you hope to gain by talking to uh…” Wels shot Doc a sideways glance. “Rotarkuning?”

“Close enough.”

“Well, honestly I figured we could just talk.” Ren said, dishing some of the finished barbecue out onto a plate. He offered some to Wels who held up a hand, quietly refusing. He passed it off to Doc instead. “I mean, it’s gotta be worth finding some common ground, right?”

Wels gave him a skeptical look.

“Haven’t you ever tried talking to Helsknight?”

“Many times.” Wels answered, his voice a sigh. “Without an audience. I like to think I can handle him on my own.”

“Oh. Well, did you make any progress?”

Wels raised an eyebrow at him, and the bags under his eyes darkened with the downward tilt of his head.

“... right.”

“I can see myself in him,” Wels allowed, noticing Ren’s discomfort. “It’s… you know, the dichotomy of a black and white knight. Sometimes I can’t really tell which of us is which. Don’t-- look at me like that. I know it’s not completely rational. I do try to empathize with him, or give some compassion. Sounds like whatever hels is like, it’s rough. It’s just… when he’s standing in front of me, and I’m faced with the things he’s doing and how he makes me feel…”

Wels scowled, “It’s hard to be the better person when you’re that angry.”

“Sounds like you need a good break,” Doc hummed, setting up a few chairs around the campfire.

“Probably.” Wels shrugged. “At any rate, we do a lot more killing each other than talking these days. I think the weariness is mutual.”

The three of them settled into a quiet vigil, filled with intermittent small talk, but too nervous for anything past that. Night descended, stepping down the stairs of color that marked the sunset until the moon was high in the sky and the sun was an afterthought of gray-blue clinging to the farthest edge of the horizon. A neat perimeter of torchlight kept the monsters at a distance, though occasionally Doc would get bored and take pot-shots at zombies with his trident. Wels traced the horizon line with his eyes, dwelling once or twice on a shadow that might look like a knight if you squint hard enough, but never moving his sword from where he’d planted it. Ren tended the fire, eventually pulling a chair over so he could rest his feet a little. The mirror reflected only the world in front of it, and Ren, when he glanced himself inside, was only ever himself. He yawned, leaned his head on his hand, and watched.

Ren jerked. His eyes felt heavy and he yawned again. Okay, maybe sitting down by the fire was a bad idea. If he wasn’t careful, he was going to fall asleep, and probably the worst thing he could think of was falling asleep right beside an open fire. That was a great way to lose some eyebrow hair. Ren shook his head, stood and stretched.

“Alright,” Ren grunted, arching his back until it popped, “maybe it’s about time we call this a night. The Red King’s not showing up.”

Ren looked to Wels still leaning on his sword. In the dim light, with only the campfire and the ring of torches to see by, his silhouette took on a red-orange hue, and his armor reflected the light like flickering embers. He didn’t move. Ren blinked, confused, and padded over to him.

“Hey Wels? Jeez I knew you were tired dude, but--” Ren stopped abruptly. Wels’ silhouette confused his tired mind, and at first, he couldn’t quite place what he was looking at. The oddness of it came to him first when he realized Welsknight’s cape was also reflective, despite it being made of cloth, a decidedly non-reflective material. Then the pale of his skin set strangely in his vision, and how close it looked to the pale shades of his armor and then…

Welsknight wasn’t here. Or he was, but he was no longer Wels. It seemed to Ren like he was made of glass, or maybe ice, tinted red. His cape didn’t pull with the breeze, because it too was a thing frozen solid, and his chest didn’t move, because he was no longer a person who breathed. He was a sculpture, reflecting the light of the fire, wafting a small cloud of condensation around his feet, head bowed in sleep.

Ren turned to Doc for some help, only to see his friend curled up in one of the chairs, his four creeper legs crossed together in an attempt to get comfortable, his head propped on his crossed arms against the back of the chair, asleep. He should be snoring loudly, the red lights of his prosthetic and his redstone eye blinking slowly in what passed for their power-saving rest mode. Except neither of these things could happen, because he too was made of whatever red-tinted ice that Wels was. A perfect replica of Doc, curled up in sleep, so carefully crafted that every detail was the same as his living counterpart. Ren became aware of his breathing, quickening with his growing panic. He looked between his two friends, and the silence left in their wake was so full and heavy it rang in his ears like warning bells.

Ren was alone.

Movement bloomed in the corner of his eye and Ren snapped his head towards the mirror. He caught sight of his eyes just as frost crawled up the glass to conceal them. The frost spidered its way across the surface, closing it up behind a wall of foggy red-gray.

“It be a cowardly thing invitin’ someone to dinner armed to the teeth.”

Ren yelped and spun to face the fire-- and tripped over his own feet. He fell ungracefully into the grass, and found himself looking up at The Red King. He towered over the fire, now mostly dying embers and the occasional flickering spark. He was just as Ren remembered him, gray and snarling and strong, the mantle of fur over his shoulders tapering into a ragged red cape that faded at the ends to black and brown, like drying blood. He tilted his head backwards haughtily, the only indication Ren got that he was looking down on him, what with the crown still clamped like reaching claws over his eyes.

“W-well,” Ren gulped when he finally realized The Red King was waiting on him to speak, “you did try to kill me last time. I feel like the extra prep is… fair.”

“Kill ye? Nay lad. Scare ye,” The Red King flashed him a wicked grin. “If I wanted to kill ye, laddie, I would have.”

The Red King stalked around the fire, and Ren realized he was coming towards him, and there was a single panic-stricken moment where Ren just laid there in the grass unable to move. He thought maybe this is what deer felt like, frozen in headlights, or a bird caught in a snake's stare. He thought maybe The Red King intended to kill him this time, which shouldn’t be scary because he could respawn, but seemed it, suddenly. He thought he should move. He should do something. He should move.

Ren scrambled to his feet, hands outstretched placatingly, “Right! Right --ha-- that makes uhm… perfect sense. You know just-- I don’t know what it’s like where you come from. Hels? I guess? But normally you don’t throttle someone through a mirror when you first meet. Most people find that kind of rude my d-- my… dude?”

Calling The Red King “my dude” was on an absurd side of bizarre Ren hadn’t expected it to be. He should probably think about that later, when The Red King wasn’t advancing on him slow persistent step after slow persistent step, like he was trying to back Ren into a corner. Except they were on an open plain, so that shouldn’t be possible. The feeling persisted in much the same way The Red King did.

“But hey! It’s good that you’re here! Because this is for you,” Ren opened his mouth and started talking, because he thought he was good at that, and that’s really what this was about. Talking. Figuring things out. Coming to an accord. Talking. Not getting scared. Not dying. Talking. Ren backed away from The Red King in an arc, trying to work his way back to the fire again. The Red King let him. “S-so this is a braai, and it’s a tradition where I come from! Uhm… you don’t normally just do it with two people but you’ve frozen my other guests so-- or I assume that was you. Red Winter, ice sculptures, frost, that-that makes sense. That’s very on brand. It’s a very cool touch-- just makes for a quiet-- anyway--”

Ren got the campfire between himself and The Red King, and felt a little bit more secure with the extra defense between the two of them. The Red King stopped his advance, watching Ren predatorily, the furred mantle on his shoulders reminiscent of a wolf’s hackles, bristled. Ren swallowed hard.

“So a braai, I thought you might like because-- well I know I like them, and we’re kind of the same person, right?”

The Red King's brow furrowed, and his nose scrunched in something like a sneer, and Ren thought maybe that passed as The Red King squinting his eyes at him. Or maybe snarling, but just with the parts of his face that didn't involve teeth? It was an intense expression anyway.

“R… right. Well, I know people are important to you. Your people. Your army,” Ren continued stubbornly, and the more he talked the more his nervousness abated a bit. He felt a little bit more in control. Maybe. Maybe he could actually do this. Whatever this was. “And see, a braai is made to bring people together. You visit with friends and family and it’s a time of camaraderie and fellowship. It’s actually-- it’s a tradition we really got into back home, after war tore a lot of things up. And I thought you know, it must be hard, being a creature made for war and war only. So, I’ve made this, and thought maybe, you know, we aren’t friends, and it’s clear you don’t like me. But I’m willing to show a little bit of goodwill here. We don’t-- we don’t have to be like Wels and Hels, battling it out all the time.”

Ren’s ears pricked forward hopefully, and he let the tip of his tail flick upwards welcomingly. He picked up a plate in his hands, and searched around for the best cut out of what he’d barbecued, and he let out a bracing breath. “So, how about it? Let’s talk. You can even pretend this is like, some kind of tactical meeting thing, if you’d like.”

Ren offered the plate forward for The Red King to take, and he tried to look as welcoming and innocent as was physically possible while he did. The Red King’s part in Third Life - Ren couldn’t remember it very well. This made sense in hindsight, knowing that The Red King was maybe his own person by then? Ren was just spectating someone else’s misfortune by that point… probably. He wasn’t entirely sure that’s how it worked, but that made sense to him currently. So, he couldn’t remember much, but he could remember everything leading up to it, and how it ended. He knew there was betrayal, and lost alliances, and the feeling of safety among friends cut short, and he wanted with everything in himself right now to not be any of those things. If he could just convince the King that he was being genuine, then maybe they could actually be productive here.

The Red King watched him, and it was uncomfortable, knowing he was being watched but not being able to see the person's eyes. He stalked forward, and Ren had to force himself not to shrink away, to convince himself that trust went both ways; if he didn't trust The Red King to take a plate, how did he expect to trust him to talk? The Red King towered, monumental in every sense of the word, even though he only had an inch or two on Ren. It was how he carried himself, it was the mantle on his shoulders and the curling points of his crown like horns or dragon's teeth. He was a fairytale run amok, and Ren thought the monstrous kings in fairy tales sculpted of flesh and iron and winter were much more noble when he imagined him, and much less of something that resembled a force of nature, cold and unstoppable.

The Red King took the plate from his hand, and his claws made it look fragile and toy-like. He was a ferocious, man-eating giant entertaining a child's tea party, and he knew it. "Alright Rendog, ye begged your parlay. For now, I'll accept. I be neither deaf nor cruel."

Ren let out the breath he was holding. He allowed himself a brief amount of relief, and half an uneasy smile. "Oh! Well thank you uhh…"

Was "your majesty?" a proper term for a king? He thought he'd heard from Welsknight once that terms like "majesty" and "highness" were technically derogatory, as far as royalty were involved. Also, it felt awkward talking to himself like that anyway. And The Red King was half of himself. At least, that's what Wels said.

The Red King grinned at him, another lithe and wicked smile. Wolfish. "Cat got ye tongue, lad?"

"I just-- I guess I didn't think I'd get this far. I thought you'd just try and kill me, my dude."

"And I may yet."

Ren swallowed. "Well-- anyway, my dude, I guess I just wanted to find some common ground with you."

"Common ground."

"Yeah! A truce!" Ren crossed his hands neatly on the back of his chair. He still didn't trust The Red King enough to stand beside him, without something to defend himself with or hide behind. "Or well, kind of a truce, anyway. I mean, I'm sure there's something you want from me, right? Otherwise, you wouldn't be interested in me at all. You'd be off chasing down your enemies, or maybe becoming King of hels or something."

He ignored The Red King's chuckle, more growl than anything else, and continued doggedly on. "But this also doesn’t have to be transactional. I don’t want much in return - besides maybe the safety of looking in the mirror again.”

Ren laughed uncomfortably. The King did not.

“When we met the first time, you had a lot to say about my being a coward and leaving my friends behind. I’m not, and I didn’t,” Ren said, trying to sound firm, but the stillness from The Red King was getting uncomfortable. He could tell he was listening, but his face was utterly passive. He still held the plate Ren had handed him, but he didn’t move to eat, only held it in a facsimile of politeness. “I did what I thought was right at the time, and I still am. Surely that’s something you can sympathize with.”

The Red King dipped his head slightly, thoughtfully maybe? His ears, always back and bristled, twitched.

“Aye, I can sympathize with the idea of duty. With doing what must be done.” The Red King set the plate down beside the campfire. He crossed his arms behind his back. “I suppose ye ken that’s what ye be doing now, aye? Settle yer differences with the King ‘afore he can strike ye in a way that harms. Truly harms.”

The Red King started to pace, long slow steps that sent his shadow arching towards the mirror. It made Ren think of a pacing tiger, or a hungry wolf. He was containing himself, refusing to cross an invisible line. “But I see ye, Rendog. I see ye hiding.”

“I’m not-- I’m right here.” Ren felt himself bristle just a bit, indignance overtaking his nervousness. “I’m not hiding from anyone.”

“Are ye? Ye call me here talking proudly of bravery, of coming to an accord, of common ground. But ye call me here, to a world I have no place in. Ye bid me eat at a table while yer allies stand with weapon in hand. Ye bargain for yer peace of mind--”

“You tried to kill me!” Ren snapped. “This isn’t cowardice, this is being prepared in case you do it again!”

“What be ye scared of, Rendog?” The Red King laughed. “I cannae kill ye in a way that matters! Yours is a world of respawn! Of endless second chances! And yet look at ye - cowering behind a chair like I’m the feral wolf that bit ye.”

Ren’s ears flattened against his head. He let go of the back of the chair, suddenly aware he’d been clutching it with a white-knuckled grip.

“Ye search for common ground? We be nothing alike.” The Red King turned away from him and paced towards the mirror. Long slow steps, heavy, like an executioner. His arms uncrossed themselves from behind his back. “Ye be a bully. When ye fought, it was only with an army at yer back. When Scar came to rob ye, ye yapped at him like a dog, too cowed to bite. Ye made me to scare yer foes, to show them winter, a world dimmed by the loss of life. And the monster ye made brought great rejoicing only when its terror was gone. Winter has ended, they cried. Now blooms the spring. A spring watered by the blood of yer army. Fertilized by the bodies of yer bad decisions. The road to hell paved by preparation and good intentions.”

Ren swallowed hard. He didn’t know what to think, to say. He didn’t think he was a bully, but now The Red King was making him think about what it must be like, dragged from whatever your home was, expecting violence. The Red King was making him remember Third Life, and how scared he was, and how loud he got in a room full of people trying to take advantage of him. Of how Martyn became his muscle so quickly. And Skizz when he was red. And how he’d pursued Etho, because Etho was a good ally in a fight. And he was starting to think he did look like a bully, didn’t he? Because he was scared. Because maybe, truly, he was a coward after all. Because--

“I suppose we share one common thread,” The Red King spoke, and when Ren looked up at him, there was an axe in his hands. His heart leaped into his throat and he stumbled a step back away from the chair. The Red King’s axe was a deceptively simple looking thing, large enough for his clawed hands but altogether unremarkable. It was diamond, and it glittered with handmade enchantments and no other adornment but the spatter of blood on the handle. “We both desire nothing more than the safety of our friends.”

He held his axe out threateningly, the blade hovering dangerously over Doc’s neck. The Red King snarled, “Next time ye call me to parlay, do so without a dagger behind yer back, lad.”

Ren laughed, because he was scared and he didn’t know how else to cope with it. The King hesitated. “You-- you just said this is a world of second chances. If you kill him, it won’t matter.”

The words left his mouth and they felt cruel, but they were true. Ren knew they were true. Doc would lament the loss of levels, but Ren would recover his stuff before the despawn. Doc would wake up in a bed somewhere, bummed he’d missed the action, and probably angry the plan had gone awry, but safe.

“Is that what ye ken, lad?” The Red King asked him, and his voice was so confident, so insidious, Ren found himself worried. It writhed in his stomach like bile, the feeling he might be wrong. “I was forged in a world where life was a temporary inconvenience.”

“B-but-- you’re not there. You’re on Hermitcraft.”

“What laws do ye ken rule me, lad? The laws of a world I feel no love for, or the laws of a world I was made for?” The Red King laughed. “Cower little dog, and yap all you like. We’ll see if yer friend is soothed by yer words when his name is fragile as the gold it’s dyed in.”

The Red King raised his axe, and Ren vaulted over the chair with a speed he didn’t even know he was capable of. He was blinded by the single, whole-hearted desire to stop that axe from falling. He tackled The Red King, his shoulder barreled into his chest and he felt the startled huff! as the air was forced from the King’s lungs. The two of them tumbled to the ground, knocking over the mirror. It didn’t shatter, landing with a soft thump in the grass. Ren felt The Red King’s boot come under his stomach, and he was kicked off, and he rolled to a stop at Welsknight’s frozen feet. Ren stood breathlessly, shook himself off and bristled. The Red King rose slower, taking care to catch his breath. His axe lay in the grass nearby him, but Doc was unharmed, and that was all that mattered for the moment.

“Alright, alright. You wanna go?” Ren snarled, his tail lashing once, angry. He paced a step away from Wels, giving himself some space. “I didn’t want to do this, my dude, but if you wanna go, we can go.”

There was an ember inside Ren’s chest he didn’t often use, for a shift he didn’t often need. Fighting The Red King, though, he thought he’d need it. So, Ren shifted. It was a soft change; one he had long grown used to. He grew a little taller, his hands turned themselves into sharpened claws much like his counterpart. His hair lengthened and grew and thickened, trailing down his back and shoulders, his arms. His bones rearranged themselves into something more fitting a werewolf. Ren cracked his neck, and shook out his fur, and snarled with a maw full of teeth.

“You try that again, and I’ll make you regret it,” Ren threatened. “We’ll see if your laws mean you have only one life to tango with.”

The Red King tilted his head at Ren, like he was looking up at him. He smirked, amused. “Two common threads.”

The Red King straightened - or rather, he was already standing straight, but his shoulders broadened, and his body lengthened, and with the snaps and pops of rearranging bones he shifted as well. The great grey mantle on his shoulders shivered and grew, covering his body in silver-black fur. His muzzle lengthened, and his crown warped to shape a wolf-ish head. Again, he towered over Ren, a massive werewolf, bloodied muzzle and paws dripping like he was fresh off a kill. And still he grinned. “One life or not, I fear no death laddie. But I know ye do.”

The Red King lunged. The two of them fell into the grass, snarling and snapping, and Ren could feel himself overpowered already. The Red King was too big, too strong, too much, and Ren had been scared he’d lose even against him human. Ren found himself trying to scramble out from under the massive beast of his other half, a snarling monster that simply closed its jaws on his arm when he tried to push him away. Ren clawed and kicked and writhed, and found himself pinned. The Red King’s jaws closed around his throat.

Ren came gasping awake like he was fresh off a respawn, the phantoms of teeth pressing into his neck. He scrambled up so quickly he fell over his chair, and both he and his seat fell to the ground with a thud and a clatter. Doc’s loud snoring halted abruptly, and he shot to his feet as well.

“Hey! Hey! Woah what the hell? What’s going on?!”

“Is he here?” Wels asked, his sword in his hand. He and Doc both converged on Ren, who lay in the grass gasping, trying to catch his breath. “I don’t see him-- Ren, what’s wrong? Ren?”

“He-- he--he-- He was-- he--” Ren gasped and stammered, a hand to his neck trying to reassure himself he was unharmed. He looked around wildly, but there was no Red King in sight, nor the monstrous werewolf he’d turned into. There were only his friends staring down at him in concern. A laugh, loud and hysterical, bubbled itself up through Ren’s chest and he fell back into the grass. He laughed, because he didn’t know what else to do, how else to process. He laughed because his heart was racing, and he still couldn’t catch his breath, and this was absolutely ridiculous. He laughed because he was terrified, and it had all been a dream.

“Alright, that’s it,” Doc snapped. “I’m calling this off. Ren’s so scared of this guy he’s having nightmares, and it’s not like he showed up anyway.”

Doc stormed off to start picking up torches and packing up their chairs.

Wels crouched beside Ren, “You alright?”

“It was -- ahah! -- it was just a stupid nightmare.”

“Yeah… I’m sure it was.”

“Is that why you can’t sleep?!” Ren asked him, gasping, finally managing to wrangle some control over himself. "Do you do that every night? My dude that was-- that--"

Ren looked past Wels to where Doc was standing. Doc had stopped picking up items. He stood stiffly in front of the mirror, his hand covering his mouth - which Ren only saw because he could see the reflection. The glass of the mirror was slashed by four long claw marks made of red-tinted frost. A sign. A warning. A farewell.

"Oh… shit." Ren breathed.

"Yeah…" Wels rubbed the back of his neck.

Ren felt sick. When people described the phrase “sick with fear”, they’d never come close, in his book. Suddenly it felt as if all of his guts had turned into snakes, but not the writhing just-got-picked-up-by-the-tail-and-not-having-it kind. It was the slow churning of scales upon scales upon scales in his stomach, like something alive was waking up and coiling over itself. It was knowing if he moved too much, if he breathed too much, it would realize it was trapped inside him and it would decide to bite, and when it bit it’d take his lungs and his heart on its way up his throat. It was dread like ice, like The Red King’s breath on his neck when he’d lunged for him. It was fear like Scar showing up at his door the day after Third Life, and Ren not knowing for a moment who he was or where he was, only that this was supposed to be an enemy in another life, in another place, and he was caught weaponless and bare and unawares and completely at something’s mercy.

This was realizing The Red King had killed him in his sleep, and not knowing what would happen when he checked his name in his communicator.

“Ren?” Wels asked him. “Ren, you're pale. What’s up, man?”

Ren was pale. He wasn’t grey. He wasn’t bleeding. He wasn’t dead. Logically he hadn’t respawned. He’d awoken in a chair by a campfire that was all dying embers in front of a mirror that was slashed with ice in the company of friends who were breathing and watching him and concerned. He should check his communicator. He should have the others check it for him. He should tell them what The Red King threatened. Tell them about the axe, and the snarling mouth, and the fight in the grass. He should check his communicator and see what color his name is. It could be a bluff. It could be a lie. It could be that Ren woke up before he’d died, and so faced no consequences.

But Ren was figuring out slowly, encounter by encounter with The Red King, that he truly was a coward.

Ren buried his face in his hands and he told himself he would check when he pulled himself together. When he stopped shaking. When he started breathing regular. When the phantoms of teeth stopped aching in a jagged necklace around his throat.

He would check it later.

And his name would be green.

And The Red King would have lied.

He didn’t know what he would do if it wasn’t.

#the barking writer #rendog #the red king #welsknight #docm77 #hey hey hey what if The Red King still abides by 3rd Life Rules even if the rest of the world doesn't? Would that be fucked up or what?#well now this is finally out of my head #answering asks #anonymous #The Red King Hels

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argonavis-hcs · 3 years ago

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Can i ask for argonavis with a shy and introverted s/o please?? Thankss😉😉

Argonavis with Shy and Introverted s/o

Pairings: Ren Nanahoshi x reader; Yuuto Goryo x reader; Wataru Matoba x reader; Rio Kikyo x reader; Banri Shiroishi x reader

Author's note: Hi, anon! Thank you for requesting and sorry for the slow updates. This request is so cute i hope you guys enjoy it~

Genre: fluff

Warnings: none

Birds of the same feather flock together, no?

Karaoke dates just the two of you UwU

Both of you understands each other's struggle when it comes to socializing

Sharing the stuff you two most passionate about no judging involved

Being with Ren gives you utmost comfort you couldn't find any other

The two of you would often have a sleep-over. Doing fun stuff like baking cookies, watching movies, sing (Ren wanted to keep singing but he's too sleepy), and many cute stuff couples do on sleep over

Giving each other special keychains so you and him won't feel as lonely when apart

His mother (most likely his entire family) knows, love, and approve your relationship with baby Ren

Pon-chan approves too! What if Pon-Chan love you simply because he thinks you're Ren...

You'll cheer him from the backstage on lives. Ready to be his #1 support and a hug source after the live

"Wow... He's so.. energetic..." Is your thought every time he ask you to go somewhere with him out of nowhere

He always makes you smile and feel comfortable around him. Whether he does it on purpose or not

He can't help but feeling like he just got shots of caffeine when seeing you smile at him instead of shying away

All the Nappolin in the world could not compare to you

You would hide behind him when he's talking to someone you don't know. With your hand holding on to his jacket

His heart would go ba dump ba dump doki doki when you do that (WHAT AM I SAYING LOL)

I hc him as a guy that can be shy too but cover it with his optimistic self

He was so ecstatic when you agree to date him and can't wait to drop the news to other Argonavis member. Fortunately you managed to stop him so you could mentally prepare yourself to meet the others

He looks like the type of guy who doesn't want to put more pressure on you or anything so he often hide his feelings with his cheerfulness. But you've lived long enough to read people's emotions so you'd sit him down and ask him to talk about his days. He'll lay his head on your lap and let his emotions go

He would list down all the things that will make you uncomfortable so none of those will happen as long as he's around

Mother Wataru.exe has activated

Bring cakes to your house for cake-tasting n chill together

Remember that one meme where person A is hugging/holding person B and then says, "If anything happened to B, I would kill everyone in the room and then myself.."

Overall a very doting boyfriend. Thinks 3 steps ahead and always prepared

You want to recharge your energy? He's ready to take you home. You crave your comfort drink? Here, he knows you'll ask for it. You want to eat dessert? Good thing he always have more since he thinks of you a lot

You could talk to him about anything and he'd always have advice for it. Or a find a way to help you figure things out

He would slip little poetic notes in your bag, books, anything. At first it's because he doesn't want you to get uncomfortable in front of him from that, but he still do it even if you've opened up to him now

A tease

But barely does it. When he does he'll apologize

Doesn't really matter if you're shy and introverted or happy-go-lucky and extroverted. He can handle it

Somewhat like Wataru minus the worry

He wants you in the room when he compose a new song. He said he wants to hear your opinion but he actually just want your company

And you love hearing him play. So it's a win for both of you

Honestly, he'd let you do whatever you want

He'd even dotes on you but in a reasonable amount

Can also be strict when he feels like you really need it. Such as when you barely touch the sun because you don't want to see people, he will drag you out himself

Will apologize with a big pot of curry later

Not a man of words, but a man of action

Hand in marriage please???

hOh you're introvert? A shy one at that? Most likely prefer home dates? YOU ARE PERFECT FOR HIM

Imagine all the money he could save up by spending time with you inside rather than outside!!

But he loves to shower you with little gifts as often as he could. You're the only person outside family that he'd treat like that

Do you love stargazing? He would be happy to take you there. He knows just a place

He gives so much of positive energy that you forgot the world outside the two of you exist

He's a simp. Would praise you whether you're present or not

But you not aware that he's doing it when you're not around. Imagine how red your face would be if you found out

Sometimes you get sad when he's not around due to his part-time works and band practice. Nevertheless, you still communicate with him whenever he can

#request #argonavis #ren nanahoshi #yuuto goryo #wataru matoba #rio kikyo #banri shiroishi #ren nanahoshi x reader #yuuto goryo x reader #wataru matoba x reader #rio kikyo x reader #banri shiroishi x reader #headcanon #fanfiction #fanfic

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softsebnbuckystan · 4 years ago

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Soul ties - Part 7 (Bucky Barnes au)

“You had a speech, you're speechless

Love slipped beyond your reaches”

"Steve told me about what happened. Are you okay?"

"Sure. Don't worry, Bruce," you said as you looked through the microscope. "We have work to do."

"This doesn't mean we can't talk about it if you need to."

You watched him mixing chemicals with hesitant hands. "This should work, by the way. I think I found the right..."

"What? The right what?"

"Shit," he muttered as foam started forming at the surface of the liquid. "We need to leave. Now, Y/n!"

Bruce ran towards you and dragged you out of the lab, closing the fire door. You were still right in front of it when the explosion went off, deafening you for a few seconds. You looked around you, wondering why no one else was freaking out about the lab blowing up.

"Y/n, hey, it's fine."

You looked around you. You were hearing Bruce again, but where was he? You pulled your hair, tears running down your face and your heart beating out of your chest. Everything seemed blurry and dangerous. Why wasn't anyone scared?

"I'll go get someone." That wasn't Bruce. Who? All you knew was it was a woman's voice.

You fell to your knees : why didn't they hurt?

"It's okay, I'm here. Breathe." You knew this voice. Of course you did. Why weren't you able to see whoever had spoken? Your vision was less blurry than before, but still... You couldn't think straight.

"Here. Do you feel my hands?"

A pressure on both your shoulders encouraged you to nod. You did feel hands on your shoulders. Looking up, you recognised his long dark hair, then the two blue orbs staring at you.

"Breathe in, slowly. You got this."

"Wh- what's happening?"

"Nothing bad. Just breathe. I got you."

Your feet left the ground as Bucky carried you somewhere. Your breathing was fast, just like his pace. You laid your hand on his chest, instantly feeling his heartbeat under your palm. It was so much slower than yours. You closed your eyes, shifting all your focus on this single heartbeat, doing your best to forget about yours.

"Okay, I'm sitting you down right now. You can open your eyes, it's fine."

You couldn't let go of him. You must've been grabbing his shirt really hard, because he decided to sit down next to you and keep holding you. When you opened your eyes again, you were surrounded by billions of stars. The familiar room soothed you, and so did Bucky's presence at your side. Your breathing calmed down progressively.

"Thank you," you whispered. "What happened? The lab exploded and...nobody cared. Is everyone okay? Did Bruce get out?"

"It was a minor lab malfunction. It was a minor explosion. No one got hurt."

"Minor? No, it was...it was so loud." Unwelcome memories were flashing before your eyes and you shook your head to drive them away. "It was like Sokovia all over again."

"Oh, alright... Look at me." You tilted your head up and met with his blue eyes. "You had a panic attack. It made you feel everything stronger. That happens, okay?"

"Does it? Do you have those to?"

He nodded with a sigh. "They're normal. After what you went through..."

"What gave you yours?" You bit your cheek. "Sorry. I just...when whatever this was happened, I saw them again. My parents. The bomb making our rooftop fall over their bodies. It was..."

"Hey, I'm here now." Bucky hugged you tighter and you gave in to the embrace. Damn, being close to him made you forget about everything else. "I have those in the middle of the night, sometimes. Whether it's because I remember something H.Y.D.R.A made me do or a nightmare waking me up, they're always like what you went through here. Thing is, you don't have to go through those alone."

You hesitated before taking his hand.

"H.Y.D.R.A.? As in...the ones that did those things to Wanda and Pietro?"

"Yeah."

"I didn't know they'd done those things to you too. I'm sorry."

Bucky gave you a weak smile before looking down at your joined hands.

"They're the one who gave me the arm. I mean, not this one, but...that's them. The super soldier serum, too."

"I'm guessing they didn't make you fight the Nazis..."

"I fought for them." He looked away, letting go of your hand. You furrowed your brows and grabbed it back.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that," you said. "But you're back now. Alive."

"At what cost, though?"

"We wouldn't have met." You blushed instantly after saying that sentence. "I mean..."

"No, you're right." He looked back at you as he leaned his head against the wall behind you. "Sometimes I just feel like I can't get rid of what's left of them. I can't be the old me again."

You waited before saying anything back, putting some orders in your thoughts. "I never knew the old you. But I like who you are now."

Bucky paused for a moment, scrutinising your face as if searching for a lie. "I still feel, look too much like...like him. The arm was a first change, but..."

"It's not that easy. I get it. Just...know that's okay, too. It takes time to heal."

--- Two days later

"Look who's up, if that isn't the birthday girl!" Sam exclaimed as he handed you a cup of coffee. You'd just walked into the kitchen and you already had a smile on your face. "Happy birthday."

"Thanks, dude."

"And look who woke up hours ago? Damn, y'all have messed up sleep schedules."

"Shut up, Sam," you and Bucky said in unison, causing you both to laugh a little.

You hadn't heard from Darren in two days, but you weren't feeling that down about it anymore. You'd been getting to know Bucky more and seeing him laugh along with you and Sam as the sun rays hit his profile felt like home.

"Happy birthday, by the way."

"Thanks, Bucky." You smiled to him but looked away pretty fast – this might or might not have anything to do with Sam looking at you with a grin.

"Anyway," he says, "I hope you're not busy working with Banner today because-"

Your phones buzzed, and the three of you read the name of the expeditor. You hesitated before you grabbed your phone and read the text Darren had sent you.

"Got plans for your birthday?"

"It's not what I wished he'd said...but it's a start, I guess." You let out a sigh, pondering what to respond with.

"Before that husband of yours interrupted me, I was actually telling you about your plans for the day, lady."

"Really? And what are those plans exactly, bird guy?"

"First, don't call me that or else I cancel the stripper Nat hired for you."

"The what?" You almost spat out your coffee, triggering Sam's laugh and bringing an amused smile to Bucky's face.

"I'm kidding, Y/n. We did plan a party, but no stripper. Sorry."

"You'll be the death of me. But thank you for doing that for me." You shook your head as you end up laughing along. Your mood darkened a bit when you read the text again. "Should I tell him to come?"

"If you want to." Sam shrugged. "Just remember how he talked to you the other day, and don't be too nice with him, alright?"

"What about this : I do, actually. It's up to you to show up tonight at the compound, if you really want to be there or not." Bucky tilted his head to the side before he nodded. "Okay, sent. Now what can I help with, for tonight?"

"Nothing! Bucky's picking up the cake last minute tonight, and Scott and I are in charge of the playlist."

"Then I'm sure it'll be a sick playlist. In a good way, of course."

"You like his music taste?" Bucky asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Stop bickering, the two of you. And as a matter of fact, yes!" You chuckled at the thought of tonight's party. "Who will be there, by the way?"

"Pretty much everyone. Nat's coming back from D.C. for the occasion and Tony and Pepper said they'd come too. I think Sharon said she'd be there, and..."

"Ooooh, that'll make Steve happy," you chimed in.

"Don't say that in front of him. They kissed once and he's not even allowing us to tease him about it."

"He's no fun," you complained.

"I heard that!" Steve shouted from the other room.

"Go see elsewhere if we care, old man!" Sam laughed at your comeback, and you heard Steve chuckle as well.

Damn, your birthday was off to a good start. You could only hope that feeling would last.

-- I KNOW it's getting long, but bear with me and I promise you won't regret where these two will take you! I'm starting to think this will be 15 parts long max. Might be shorter too. Let me know what you thought about this part!

P.S. – Tell me if you want to be added to the tag list !

Tag list :

@ginger-swag-rapunzel @joscelyn02 @coniumalces @bluemoon-icecream @lady-loki-ren

#bucky barnes #bucky barnes x y/n #sebastian stan #sebastian stan x reader #james bucky barnes #sebastian stan imagine #tfatws #catws #cacw #marvel #captain america #self insert #x y/n

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fayeimara · 4 years ago

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Meant To Be Series || One For Every Billion

Episode 4. If You're A Masochist

Putting your phone away after posting your latest update, you look around one more time for either of your cousins. The oldest, Ren, had left you with his brother Shin, strictly telling him not to leave you alone before he met back up with you both. But then you convinced Shin to call the car and drop off the bags you'd overloaded him with, agreeing to meet back here this cute café. It had been pretty easy to convince him, seeing as how you could barely make him out over the bags and boxes of items you'd bought for your friends and family back home. It was fair play, after all, you'd brought just as many gifts with you for your cousins here when you'd arrived.

Smiling as you tip the cup of coffee up to your lips, you consider if you've harassed him enough for the day or if you should top it off by ordering him something he'll hate just to see that distressed look on his face. He deserves it for the prank he pulled on you a few days ago, when they picked you up from the station, literally scaring you half silly when he snuck up from behind you, grabbed you, and started to run. You were pretty worried because not a single person in the busy terminal had tried to stop him even though you were clearly (momentarily) terrified and not aware of who had 'kidnapped' you until he'd finally put you down. You guess you should have expected this with him though, given you both have always messed around with each other, pulling fun pranks and stupid stunts, since the two of you were kids, but you'd gotten completely complacent since you'd last seen these oh so lovely cousins of yours.

If there was any doubt on whether you had any payback planned for Ren, well, he was the one who'd grabbed not only your bags but also several pictures of your embarrassing slip in composure, i.e. your briefly terrified face, and shared it with the world. So yeah, you were sure he was sleeping with an eye open for the time being, which is why you would call on your considerable patience before hitting him subtly and satisfyingly when he least expected it.

With that in mind, you head back to the counter to place another order and then ask if there are any specialty dessert shops in the area. Happy to hear of one pretty close, you're sure you'll be able to quickly head over and back before Shin returns.

The shop is as incredible as promised because it only takes them about ten minutes to prepare your custom order of mochi with a spicy twist. Trying one out, you can't help but enjoy the sweet flavour and texture even if you're disappointed that it doesn't seem to have the effect you were hoping for, until you feel the heat slowly build the more you chew. Oh. Oh my. Oh my g- Mouth burning, you quickly gulp at the coffee still in your hand to try and relieve the pain. Okay so.. it's perfect! Cue evil laugh.

You thank the brilliant artisans, because that's what they are, and promise to leave a review on your way out. It's not until you're walking by an alley (how typical, right?) between shops on your way back to the cat café, that you're pulled from your thoughts of not-so-sweet revenge.

"Give it up, kid." It's nothing alarming at first. Not until you hear the next cry.

"Don't touch me! Leave me alone!"

Um. What?

You've stopped even before you turn your head to look in at a couple older guys surrounding a little kid. Seriously, what's with the cliché? You honestly thought this only happened in anime but you guess dummies always prove people wrong.

Debating who you should call, because you're not going to assume adding yourself to the equation alone is going to be any help, you quickly look around only to realize that the only people passing by near or across the street either don't seem to care, or aren't the kind of people you'd feel comfortable asking for any assistance from. People can call you out on stereotyping but really, where's the kind but strong elderly gentleman or tough, no nonsense, do-gooder woman when you need one??

"Hey!" The tears in the kid's voice draw you back, with your head whipping around to witness one of the bullies reach out to grab his collar. Quick kid, he manages to dodge even if barely but he's about to be blindsided by one of the other guys.

You don't even have time to sigh at your stupidity as you run up between them as fast as you can, slapping the second guy's hand away from where it was reaching for the kid's arm.

With that loud sound and dramatic entrance, all eyes are now on you, but the element of surprise does provide enough time for you to pull the boy behind you and back the two of you up a bit so you're both not completely surrounded.

Okay, this kid barely reaches over your hip, he can't be older than about 6 or 7 maybe, what's he doing here alone?

"Well, well. What do we have here?" The first guy that had tried to grab the kid's collar studies you. You want to say his voice is annoying or that he's an ugly creep but he's just an average guy of about a few years older than you. The only distinct feature are his glasses and that's probably because you don't typically think of wannabe thugs in glasses. Again, so sue you for you conventional stereotypes, but you're in a kind of delicate situation to be worried about thinking inside the box.

"Why don't you tell me," You shoot back, pretty upset about this pathetic tableau, "since it looks like three guys old enough to know better than to bully little kids."

The third guy hasn't done much until now but he laughs at your statement and, okay, at least his laugh is kind of annoying, like a dumb donkey's braying. You hope he's trying to fake an evil laugh or something and that's not his real one? Seriously, it sounds forced and fake so you hope for his sake it really is or no one will trust him once they hear it if that's all he has to work with for the rest of his life. You're tempted to say that to his face, but you've also been told by your friends that your reckless impulses tend to escalate the situation when you need the opposite so you hold back.

Because you're outnumbered. With only a crying kid at your back, quite too literally.

"Oh no, we're not bullying him. He's my kid brother, you know? We were just messing with him since he was being a brat and grabbed the new games we just bought."

You hesitate, thinking it over. Did you make assumptions and jump in too fast? He didn't call out for help or say anything specific to indicate he didn't know these guys. You don't want to turn away to look him over, but he had been holding something clutched against his side.

You feel a little hand clench into the back of your dress and a couple tugs follow, so without turning away, you cast your gaze down and meet teary hazel eyes that are peering up with a little hope among the fear, "He's lying, oneesan, I don't know them."

"Ahh, stop lying and dragging the nice, pretty girl into this." Second guy speaks up, trying to reach around you to grab the kid, but you quickly shift the both of you back a bit more. You realize the wall is just behind you, if the kid's gasping sob means anything. You're out of space to maneuver.

So...you're in a tough spot, you've got your hands literally full and you're up against three guys that are definitely living up to your first impression of them. You don't really have time to think it over as 'glasses' loses patience and reaches for you directly, grabbing your arm that's holding the trick mochi and trying to pull you forward. "What's this? Maybe we should take it for the trouble you've added by interfering in a family issue."

"How about this instead?" And before you can pity the loss, you've thumbed off the lid to your delicious hot coffee that you guess won't get to finish drinking, and toss it in his face.

"Arhggh!" Wow, high pitched for a tough guy, but you really can't think about that right now. Goodbye, coffee, your sacrifice is appreciated.

"What the hell, you crazy b-"

"Don't bother, dumbass, it's probably not hot enough to permanently scar him at this point." True story, you like your coffee cooled down more than most.

They're staring at you like you're crazy but it's really just the recklessness you're known for. Although you should have held on to that reminder of your friends' warnings that ran through your head earlier because the situation has definitely been escalated if the mean, hateful looks that are appearing from behind their fake polite masks are anything to go by. They clearly weren't even trying that hard to pretend. While the second guy is supporting his friend who's flailing, 'Fake laugh' reaches for you, this time angled for the collar of your dress or even your neck, "You stupid bitch."

Oh okay. Well, I'm so sorry for my impertinence, god. This is payback for the mochi prank, isn't it? You actually roll your eyes upwards for a split second with that thought.

Then you prepare to drop the maybe-unlucky box for the coming fight but just before his hand reaches you, another suddenly shoots out and grabs it. Hard.

"Don't you know how to treat women, buddy?" Wow, now that's a nice voice.

Shifting your eyes to your left without turning your head, you catch sight of a handsome bedheaded guy about your age. You would probably be all heart eyes in any other situation- who are you kidding? This is literally the perfect situation.

"I don't think he does, but that's probably because he has zero experience with them." Yay, your mouth can run freely with your attitude now that you have some back up. Not that it stopped you earlier, though..

This new guy shifts his gaze to meet yours and looks pretty surprised at your smirky smile (yes you're calling it that). Why so surprised though? You guess you should have been crying or even praising this god for stepping in. Whatever, he's just a boy. Even if he is drool worthy.

He studies you and pauses briefly on the redness marking your wrist from where one of the guys had grabbed you and then his golden eyes flick down to the boy hidden behind you before focusing a steady stare back on the bullies, "I think you should leave before I really get pissed off."

He must be a magician because they vanish pretty fast after his low declaration, supporting their friend who's managed to wipe most of your precious coffee off of his slightly reddened face. Looks like, he'll live to be a dumbass another day. Could've told them that and avoided the escalation. Oh wait, you pretty much did, right?

The guy is turning back to you after watching them leave the alley and you reach for the little kid with the hand that once held your coffee. Feeling his little hand slip into yours, you start to walk the two of you towards the street while keeping your body angled so you don't completely turn your back on this new guy. You swear the amount of times you've had a situation like this turn into something unexpected is a little unnatural. "Wow. Well... Thank you, stranger, for your help."

He narrows those stunning eyes on you but you don't think he's angry, just a little confused for a moment, before he realizes you're equally wary of him. He moves out of the alley after you both, but thankfully not too closely, because you have to turn your back on him so you don't trip or walk into anyone once you reach the main street.

"It's Kuroo. Kuroo Tetsuro."

You silently startle around at the sound of his voice coming from a lot closer to you than expected but compose yourself quickly so as not to offend him by whirling around in alarm.

"Oh, uh.. nice to meet you." Okay, you both should be safe now. You turn back to face him and the kid is now glued to your side, tiny hands gripping your dress with both hands, one at your back and one at the front. At least it's not silk because that would leave quite the wrinkles. "Anyways... we have to get going now to find whoever lost this little guy."

His arm moves up, rubbing his hand in his hair at the back of his sheepishly tilted head. Probably can't get his hair any messier at this point. "That would be me."

"What?" You raise a disbelieving eyebrow. Always the unlikeliest odds with you and really, what are they anyways here in this situation? But it turns out he's not kidding and you're not misunderstanding.

"I'm the one who lost him. That's my little cousin you're trying to walk away with."

"Hey!" You protest his teasing implication, before looking down at the boy. The other guys tried this too, though.

So you delicately crouch down (aware you're in a dress and heeled ankle boots that could spell impending disaster if you lose your balance) to make sure you're at eye level with the kid. He's not crying anymore, but not looking happy or relieved either. Just staring back at you steadily, a little like the calm gaze of this other guy, actually, but let's not go with confirmation bias. Maybe he's just not an overly excitable kid to begin with.

"Do you know this guy?" You ask softly. He told the truth before, under the stress of a pretty scary situation, after all.

He looks over and up at the tall teen claiming to be his cousin before nodding. "Oh." You give the little boy a reassuring smile before leaning in to whisper in his ear, "Can I ask your name?"

And when you turn your ear to him so he can whisper a reply, you hear, "Itsuki."

Giving him another sweet smile, you stand back up and he's glommed right back onto your side. You meet the bedhead's eyes with your own slightly narrowed but steady too, and settle on a serious expression with an eyebrow raised. He hasn't looked away from you even once but that's fair considering you might actually be trying to take away his little cousin... whom he's lost already once today, if we're all being honest.

"What's his name?"

He raises an eyebrow to match yours, stance indicating he's in no rush but expression definitely amused, "You mean Itsuki?"

"Yeah.. okay, then." You look back down at the boy who's reluctantly releasing you as Kuroo moves closer to you both, your smile back on my face. "It was really nice to meet you, Itsuki. Thank you for being so brave and strong back there. I couldn't have sent those bullies away without you!"

"Or me?" Kuroo asks but it's not really a question more like an amused statement sliding into remind you that he did save you both in the end. Isn't he a little too close for politeness?

"I suppose." Now you have tilt your head back to look at him again. Argh, why is it like a compulsion to just stare your life away when you look into those eyes? "Thank you, then.. Kuroo."

"Not that you needed my help." Ohh, he's smirking at you and it. is. something. "You looked like you were mostly holding your own before I stepped in."

You laugh, because he's really just being nice and you don't know what expression your face might make after seeing his smirk if you don't pick amusement, "Pretty sure it was painfully obvious who brought the most advantage on our side if it came to a fight... and it wasn't me."

"Oya? Our side, huh? And what's your criteria for assessing that advantage?"

And before you can stop yourself, his question has you looking him up and down like.. like you're checking him out. Cue your blush. Ugh. You pass it off and try to push through, "What? I'm not supposed to notice that you have the physical advantage over me?"

Yeah, you worded that deliberately and wouldn't change it for anything because it's so worth it to see the red lightly tint his own cheeks. Yeah, I see your thoughts went there.

"Anyways," You start to step backwards, "Really, thank you."

You turn away to walk over to the coffee shop just another door down.

"Wait," You look over to see both Itsuki and Kuroo catch up to you quickly, the latter now holding on to the former gently but firmly, "I should be thanking you. You did step in to help my cousin when not many others would."

"Oya?" You copy his cute phrase with a look at him from the corner of your eyes and a teasing smile of your own, "How do you know he didn't step in to help me?"

"Somehow I doubt that." The three of you come to a stop in front of the coffee shop and Kuroo's distracted for a second, "Wait, this is your stop?"

"Yeah, why?"

He chuckles, "Ours too. We'd just stopped in here ourselves when Itsuki wandered away." We?

"Oh, I was here a little earlier too, but I needed to grab.." You lift the box, ".. this, for someone. I left my order here though."

"You lose your coffee often or just an addict?"

"Haha. Neither. It's... a thing. You'd think I'm horrible if I explain."

"I doubt I'd ever think that at this point. Can I pay for your new order and you can tell me about it over your next cup? You know, as a thank you for putting yourself in a dangerous situation for my cousin." Why does he make that sound both grateful and like a stern admonishment at the same time?

"I covered it already and it wasn't really for me. But I really appreciate the offe-"

You're cut off by the door opening and Shin bursting through with a very exasperated look on his face. Whoops, guess you took too long. He immediately starts complaining, "Where have you been?! Imagine my worry when I arrive here and you're gone! You promised you'd wait here."

Another guy has walked out behind him but you ignore that because you see that Shin's holding the drink you got him, but that has your name on it, and can't help but point out both literally and dryly, "Clearly so worried, you picked up my order in the meantime?"

"Hey, there are two drinks so I figured one was mine! But they're both awful!" Of course he tried them both. His face turns into a sad pout, "Why would you order such sour drinks when you know I hate them! And I know you do too! So... do you really hate me for that little thing? You've been so mean today."

You chuckle because this is literally the perfect opportunity. Well, actually, Kuroo is still standing by politely with Itsuki, watching you both with interest, but that other guy has walked up to them and is now also standing there. Is he gaming out here? Never mind.

You give Kuroo an apologetic smile with a finger held up to indicate you'll be a moment and then turn back to offer the box you've been holding onto this whole time to your dear cousin. "I can't imagine why you'd feel that way, but I did get you this, too. You can't have it all though, it's also for Ren."

He reaches for the box when you pop it open and happily exclaims, "Mochi? Aw, I take it back, you're the best!" before proceeding to pop two in his mouth. Oh. Uh-oh.

Okay then, closing the box, you walk back over to Kuroo as Shin happily munches away behind you. "Sorry, yes, I appreciate the offer but as you can see, I have my hands full with-"

"Ahhh! OMG, my mouth is burning!!! What is this?" Is he crying? He's definitely chugging that 'horrible' drink. "I take it back that I took it back. You do hate me. And for what?! I'm sorry I tried to kidnap you, okay?! Ahhh! Make it stop-"

He keeps rambling, even while alternating between choking down the sour drink and pausing for quick panting breaths every now and then, as tears actually run down his face. Even the gamer boy is momentarily distracted watching. You can't help the satisfied smile that stretches across your face as you watch Shin dissolve into tortured agony from the corner of your eyes and finish your sentence "-a pretty troublesome commitment already."

Kuroo looks a little worried but definitely way more amused, "I thought that box was something really special, the way you held onto it the whole time."

"Yeah, even in exchange for my precious coffee-" You wipe away a pretend tear and swear he mutters 'so you are an addict' under his breath before you finish, "but it was worth the revenge, wouldn't you say?"

"Well... He tried to kidnap you?"

"Ugh, don't ask. It was a stupid prank that I briefly fell for. But I think he won't try getting me back for a while. At least a week of peace."

"So.. don't mess with you, is what I'm hearing."

You laugh at his accurate interpretation, "Pretty much. Or do, if you're a masochist."

He looks slightly awed and a whole lot intrigued when he states, "At first I thought you were some incredible angel.. but you're pretty much more an incredible devil, aren't you?

"Incredible, either way? I'll take it." You smirk, thinking of the irony he'll probably never understand.

"How about my request for a name?"

"Isn't it Kuroo Tetsuro?"

"I'm asking for your name, Kitten." He's a little exasperated and just a smidge embarrassed that you made him spell it out. I mean, you like that he's all witty and smooth but... you really like a guy's direct side, too.

You do still smile and tease a little more, "Kitten could work, given the irony..." He gives you an unamused look, but you were continuing anyway, "But since you asked so nicely.. I'm Y/-"

"Oi!" Ren is standing across the street with the car, door open, "I've been looking for you. It's time to go."

"Oh," You look back at Kuroo who's still looking at Ren a split second longer before focusing back on you, "I'm sorry, I have to go!" You smile at him apologetically then face Itsuki, slightly crouched, to give him a bright smile, "Bye Itsuki! Take care and don't wander off again!"

You don't have time to say anymore than those goodbyes to the pair of cousins before your own is dragging you away, cursing you out and swearing he'll get you back. He's listing a lot of pretty creative ideas, silly boy, you'll just use them before he can.

You check both sides of the road as he's pulling you across since it doesn't look like he's going to but you both make it safely to Ren who just gives the two of you a droll look. "You guys definitely didn't listen to me."

He didn't even pose it as a question. You just shrug and give him a kiss on the cheek before sliding into the back of the sleek car, followed by Shin and then Ren, who calls out to let the driver know to take you all home. Maybe you glance out the tinted windows to steal one last look at Kuroo before the car starts to move away. Maybe you see that he's looking too, he's staring at the car but his mouth is moving and when it stops, the gamer boy says something back.

The last thing you see before the car pulls away completely and you can't see anymore is Itsuki pulling Kuroo back towards the café and he takes one last look your way before heading inside with his friend following.

You turn back around, not realizing you'd shifted your whole body. Ren is looking at you oddly so you just raise an eyebrow at him, but smile when Shin happily exclaims, "Hey Ren, we got you some treats too!"

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Masterlist

Behind The Scenes!

-Kuroo not only didn't get Y/n's name, but was pretty curious as to her close relationship with the two guys that we know as Shin and Ren

-If she had to measure, Y/n felt about the same level of attraction and connection with Kuroo as she did with Oikawa when she first bumped into him at the boba shop; he was interesting but still just a casual, fun encounter in the end

-Gamer boy was obviously Kenma, yeah?

-Is it funny for anyone else that Bokuto is liking or retweeting the posts about Y/n? Or is it just me because I clearly know too much?

-Itsuki is non-canon, if you weren't sure :(

A/N: I really like how this one turned out, I don't know why. It could have something to do with the fact that I've been a Kuroo simp the longest but I dunno, it just... flowed. And I barely even chewed over the edits.

Btw, if you guys ever see first-person POV (my, me, I, us, we) or 'Faye', it's probably a good time to restate that this started out as a purely self-indulgent imagining, which is why I write most seamlessly as myself in the scenarios. I then change it over to 'Y/n' and reader perspective during multiple levels of edits so you all can hopefully enjoy the story/scenarios too, but it can (and likely will) still slip through sometimes. Just let me know, and I'll fix it, thank you :) <3

Taglist: @delusivist

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